[Elecraft] K1 revisited

[Ron ZL1TW]

Hi,
     In a recent posting I mentioned I was not happy with the AGC action of 
the K1 after pulling it out of retirement for a QRP Sprint on this weekend.
This is an account of what I consider, improves the set generally. I claim 
no originality for the ideas, and any K1 purists or designers might like to 
switch to the next message right now!  ( Definitely YMMV)
The AGC "problem" of giving a burst of audio when a strong signal made 
itself present was cured 99% by altering C31 to 1uf ( from 2.2UF) and 
replacing C67 with a .22uf cap ( was also 2.2uf)  That sped up the AGC 
action and after using the set in the first 1/2 of the Sprint last evening, 
I was more than happy with the AGC.
However....probably being spoilt by the K2, I found the tuning rate a tad 
delicate for my fat fingers, and the RIT action was gross.
OK.....I know it has a large range so the set can be used in SPLIT 
mode....but I doubt I will use that mode on the K1, so I looked in the 
Elecraft Reflector listings and dug out a solution posted on 20 Jul 2001 
under the heading "Re: K1 RIT mod", where the RIT is modified to a 
logrithmic action that gives a small range of tuning over about the first 
25% of the controls throw, ( each side) but still retains most of the 
original total range.
It was a tight fit getting the parts in and I had to use 1/8w resistors to 
obtain a decent fit, but it works fine.
Now the VFO band spread. I was using the 68pf cap for C2, which gave me a 
80khz tuning range. I altered C2 to 47pf and added an extra turn on L1 , 
and that gives me a tuning range of 51khz. A wee bit under the 55khz we are 
allowed here, but perfectly acceptable to me.
The second half of the Sprint event is on tonight, and I am looking forward 
to joining in with my "re-Vamped" K1 . From using the set last night, there 
is certainly nothing wrong with the K1's receiver. I had forgotten what a 
fun set it is.
Cheers.......Ron ZL1TW